Goa state pollution control board to decide on mining leases tomorrow

PANAJI: The Goa state pollution control board (GSPCB) will decide the fate of applications submitted by different firms, seeking approval to operate 61 iron ore mining leases in the state.

GSPCB's consent under the Water and Air Pollution (Control) Act is crucial for these mining leases to begin their operations.

"The board will meet on Friday to decide on the report submitted by the Technical Advisory Committee," GSPCB chairman Jose Manual Noronha said.

The Supreme Court had imposed a ban on the mining activities in Goa around three years back and the operations are all set to resume from October this year, provided all the permissions are in place.

GSPCB officials said that the fate of 16 out of the 61 mining leases is uncertain as they do not have the necessary Environment, Wildlife as well as Forest clearances.

In September 2012, the board had refused to renew the consent of the leases following suspension imposed by the government.